Russian acts of sabotage

During Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, many cases of Russian sabotage have been recorded on the territory of our country. The aggressor country uses a tactic called hybrid warfare – a war against a state using sabotage, terrorist acts, information propaganda and cyber interference.

Russian sabotage – what to expect from the enemy

Sabotage is deliberate subversive action by people subordinate to a hostile regime. It can concern economic or military facilities. Russian saboteurs carry out explosions to destabilise and disorganise the management of Ukrainian state institutions, and also create sabotage in order to weaken our state in general.

During the days of Ukraine's heroic resistance, Russian saboteurs have repeatedly made themselves known – the risk of Russian sabotage has been reported in almost every region of Ukraine.

Russian sabotage is aimed at demoralising Ukrainians

At the beginning of Ukraine's military confrontation, reports began to appear en masse about signs and marks left by saboteurs on the streets.

What saboteurs can do:

• Leave marks on poles and on the walls of buildings;

• Make marks on the roofs of houses and various structures;

• Leave transmitters near roads and institutions;

• Booby-trap objects and premises, etc.

For the most part, Russian sabotage aims to sow panic among the civilian population and increase the feeling of danger. The main goal of the saboteurs is to make Ukrainians fear an attack and lose their fighting spirit. Russian sabotage is also aimed at overloading state law enforcement agencies – people who notice suspicious signs or devices call hotlines and overload the network.

Not giving in to provocations is the best method of resistance

Do not allow yourself to panic – marks and signs for the most part will not be able to help Russian equipment. Therefore, there is no need to call the police – destroy the marks yourself.

But you must not deal with unknown devices yourself – in this case, you need to call the State Emergency Service or your city's hotline. Professionals will be able to safely neutralise the product of sabotage.

Also, do not approach objects lying on the streets that have some value:

• Phones;

• Tablets;

• Watches;

• Tech devices of various sizes and uses.

These objects may be booby-trapped – Russian saboteurs do not even shy away from children's toys. So you should be extremely careful and report unknown objects to the relevant authorities.

The occupiers' goal is to undermine our fighting spirit and weaken Ukraine from within. So let us not give in to enemy provocations, let us stick together and stay calm.